Maple Leafs under fire for the Matt Murray LTIR circumvention

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Tyler Ball
April 13, 2024 (6:04 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs recently announced that Matt Murray would be sent to the AHL for a rehab stint. With his return looming the Maple Leafs are now being criticized for manipulating Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR).

Earlier today NHL insider Elliotte Friedman announced that Matt Murray would be returning to game action. He will be on a 3 game and 6 day stint in the AHL before heading back to the NHL club.

Matt Murray, BTW, is expected to start for the AHL Marlies in Syracuse this evening. An LTIR conditioning stint lasts up to six days and three games. Clock started today.

The announcement from Elliotte Friedman has caused many around the NHL world to question whether or not the Maple Leafs are manipulating the rules. The first to call out the action was CapFriendly.

There are 6 days left in the regular season.

Others have made the comparison to the Vegas Golden Knights doing the same thing with forward and captain Mark Stone.

Everyone talking about Vegas Golden Knights and Mark Stone

Meanwhile Toronto over here quietly

One fan came to the defense of the Toronto Maple Leafs arguing that the two situations are monumentally different.

Glorified 3rd string «Matt Murray» returning from LTIR vs Selke caliber superstar Mark Stone returning from LTIR at the same time for the 3rd season in a row

As the regular season wraps up the Toronto Maple Leafs will have a major decision to make. They will need to figure out if they can trust Matt Murray to make his comeback in the middle of an incredibly important playoff run